Vaughn Alden Starnes, MD

Title(s)Chair and Distinguished Professor of Surgery
SchoolKeck School of Medicine of Usc
Address1520 San Pablo St.
Health Sciences Campus
Los Angeles CA 90033
Phone+1 323 442 5849
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    Other Positions
    Title(s)H. Russell Smith Foundation Chair for Stem Cell and Cardiovascular Thoracic Research


    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse education and training
    University of North Carolina, Chapel HillBA06/1973
    University of North Carolina, Chapel HillMD06/1977
    Vanderbilt University, Nashville1978Surgery Internship
    Vanderbilt University, Nashville1981Pharmacology and Surgery Fellowship
    Vanderbilt University, Nashville1984Surgery Residency
    Stanford University, Stanford1986Cardiovascular Surgery Residency
    Stanford University, Stanford1987Cardiac Transplantation Residency
    Hospital for Sick Children (Great Ormond Street Hospital), London1987Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Fellowship
    Collapse awards and honors
    Pasadena Magazine2024Top Doctor
    Mitral Foundation and American Heart Association2023Mitral Vale Repair Reference Center Award
    Pasadena Magazine2023Top Doctor
    Indian Association of Cardiovascular- Thoracic Surgeons2022Honorary Overseas Fellowship Award
    Pasadena Magazine2022Top Doctor
    Pasadena Magazine2021Top Doctor
    Pasadena Magazine2020Top Doctor
    American Association for Thoracic Surgery2019  - 2020100th President
    Pasadena Magazine2019Top Doctor
    Pasadena Magazine2018Top Doctor
    Pasadena Magazine2017Top Doctor
    University of Southern California2017National Academy of Inventors
    Pasadena Magazine2016Top Doctor
    Pasadena Magazine2015Top Doctor
    U.S. News and World Report2015Children's Hospital Los Angeles Cardiac Program, #3
    Pasadena Magazine2014Top Doctor
    University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC2013Distinguished Medical Alumnus Award
    University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill2013Distinguished Medical Alumnus Award
    Castle Connolly Medical Ltd2011List of America's Top Doctors
    Pasadena Magazine2011Top Doctor
    USC2008Presidential Medallion
    Castle Connolly Medical Ltd2004America's Top Doctors - New York

    Collapse Overview 
    Collapse overview
    Dr. Starnes is a Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery. As the founding Executive Director of the USC Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Dr. Starnes has built an interdisciplinary powerhouse comprised of clinicians and basic scientists who are exploring better and more innovative ways of treating heart disease. Under his leadership, USC surgeons have conducted more than 15,000 open heart surgeries to repair and replace valves or create coronary artery bypasses.

    Dr. Starnes earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and did his general surgery training at Vanderbilt University, where he also completed two years of research in cardiothoracic physiology and pharmacology. He completed two years at Stanford University as a resident in cardiovascular surgery, and one year as chief resident in cardiac transplantation under the mentorship of cardiothoracic transplant pioneer Dr. Norman Shumway.

    Dr. Starnes accepted a fellowship in pediatric cardiovascular surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in London (Now the Great Ormond Street Hospital) in 1987. When he returned to Stanford, he was appointed director of Stanford's heart-lung transplantation program. He joined USC in July 1992 and was appointed Chairman of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery in 1997 and Chairman of the Department of Surgery in 2008.

    Dr. Starnes pioneered the living-related double lobar lung transplant in 1993. He and his surgical team also performed Southern California's first robotic heart operation in 2001 as part of the clinical trial evaluating the use of a remote surgical system. He has an ongoing interest in congenital heart disease and in minimally invasive repair and replacement of the valves of the heart.

    In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Starnes is a distinguished researcher. He is actively involved in exploring stem-cell therapy for heart failure and congenital heart defects and in clinical trials investigating new valve technology, including percutaneous heart valve replacement.

    Dr. Starnes was honored to be chosen as the 100th president of the AATS for 2019-2020.

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